Wednesday, August 29, 2012

This beautiful home in the Dordogne region of France was built in the early 18th century. The walls and beamed ceilings are original and the fireplaces and stone floors were reconstructed to blend in with the original features.

It is owned by a British couple, who live here with their 2 daughters. It wasn't an easy transition, learning a new culture and a new language, but they persevered and now have a successful organic farming business.

The home is simply furnished, cleverly combining old and modern pieces.

These old stone walls are so beautiful!

I hope you have some lovely things planned for the weekend. I will be back on Monday.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

There is something so indulgent about a daybed or a chaise longue. They conjure up images of reclining with a great book or magazine, a drink and maybe even a delicious little snack and then drifting into a peaceful daytime nap. These are some of the prettiest I've seen around. Enjoy!

Early daybeds were made in ancient Egypt and consisted of palm sticks tied together with pieces of rawhide. In ancient Indian pictorials, the God Vishnu can be seen reclining on a daybed. In China, daybeds grew in popularity during the Ming Dynasty. The daybed was perhaps the only piece of furniture to offer itself for use 24 hours a day.

The Greeks used what they called Kline at their symposiums, where men gathered to talk and drink. The Romans borrowed from the Greeks and used daybeds both to sleep and to recline at banquets. Food and drink served at such events was put at a height accessible from the reclining position.

During the Victorian Age, the daybed was referred to as a "fainting couch." This piece of furniture had a unique purpose for women. After wearing their tight corsets for long periods of time, women actually became faint and needed to rest. They would retreat to the fainting couch to do this.

During the reign of Louis XIV, the day bed grew into favor and continued to rise
in popularity. Around 1750, during the Louis XV period, a version of the day bed
with scrolled-out sides and a long cushioned seat, called the turquoise was
introduced. It was a reflection of the lavish lifestyle of Louis XV's court, and
a hallmark of both beauty and comfort.

The proverbial couch used by the patients of Dr. Sigmund Freud was not a couch in the traditional sense. In fact, his couch was essentially a daybed. Not a quite bed and not quite a couch, it was a comfortable place for the patient to lie back and relax. We might not have Freud providing therapy to us, but just relaxing on a beautiful daybed could be therapy enough!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

This charming house in Malaga, Spain, has an eclectic mix of Spanish, Swedish, French, Moorish styles. I love the shuttered window and the mirror casually placed on top of the beautifully curved table.

Such an inviting entrance with vintage French front door, beautiful water feature and unusual flooring of inlaid pebbles.

The light filled entrance hall opens onto the living area. A worn Persian rug sits on top of a seagrass mat.The pretty Louis XV chairs are upholstered in a Chinoiserie inspired fabric.

I love the combination of weathered and worn wooden tables and beautiful antique French sofa and chairs.

The coffee table is an ancient Hindu
bed.

The antique china shows up beautifully against the grey background of these lovely built-in shelves.

The chandelier is an antique from Belgium and the French sofa is a lovely contrast to the more humble wicker chairs.

Blue and white and wood tones combined perfectly in the warm and inviting kitchen.

The light fitting is French, the table, Belgian, and the chairs, Italian.

The main bedroom has a beautiful Gustavian four poster. Did you notice the unusual ceiling?

The bathroom has a strong Moorish feel to it.

The guest bedroom is simply furnished in white with a pretty painted cupboard.

About Me

I am married with four sons. We live in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. Interior decorating and design has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I am also an incurable Francophile, enjoy good food and fine wine (actually any wine is fine with me) and generally living well.